FROM THE RECTOR: ON READING AND COMMONPLACE BOOKS

And do you know, Sonia, that low ceilings and tiny rooms cramp the soul and the mind.
~ Dostoevsky

By nature, we are all allergic to grace. We’ve grown up in a world of scorecards, thermometers, charts, and trophies. We work hard to win, but so often we lose at love.
~ Tweet from @mockingbirdnyc

My work is myself.
~ Saint Augustine

None of those preceding thoughts is my own. In fact, I like to say I’ve never had an original thought. Blame it on a seminary professor who told all us would-be pastors in his class at least once a day: “Never be original!” Thus my trips to the pulpit every Sunday bearing a stack of books to read from. And thus my habit of keeping commonplace books for the past twenty plus years. The quotes above—they come from flipping through those books as I write.

A commonplace book should be as unique as a person’s fingerprint—no two ever alike. Part journal, part vision board, part book report, part top-5 lists, these are simply personal notebooks you keep to copy out any ideas or phrases you find interesting or inspiring, maybe tape in a cigar band from your son’s high school graduation, or press a maple leaf from a visit to the Russian Icon Museum in Clinton, MA, in October 2010. You can jot down proverbs, favorite Bible verses, song lyrics, or snippets of a conversation overheard on the train. Mine are mainly quotes from whatever book I was reading at the time. These aren’t diaries that record one’s inward dialogue from the day just past; they’re conversations with other voices. And the only requirement should be that every entry meant something to you when you made it.

Even this is not a new idea (told you I’m never original). Marcus Aurelius kept a commonplace book. And Thomas Jefferson. So did Virginia Woolf and C. S. Lewis. Napoleon, Mencken, even Bill Gates keeps one today. In the first century, Seneca the Younger commended the practice, suggesting his pupils collect ideas like a bee roams to collect pollen, reading widely to mine the ideas of various writers. Organize the ideas into compartments so they can be catalogued and accessed. The trick, then, is to bring to bear your own intellect and creativity to blend these diverse ideas into something new, like a bee transforms nectar into honey. Almost like having a longitudinal conversation across time with writers you’ll likely never meet. And the practice is lauded in the pages of our hometown paper of record. Charley Locke wrote in the New York Times:

When I find myself too earnest, too impatient, too much, I can be in conversation with other minds instead. Keeping a commonplace book feels like a kinder way to grow, by wrestling with the articulations of others in the open as I hopefully adjust myself within.

But don’t take my word for it. My friend Fr. Wesley Hill recommended pastors keep a commonplace book in an article for Christianity Today. In a piece called “Pastor, You Have One Job,” Wes explains:

Designer Frank Chimero has a recommendation for artists: Create “text playlists,” akin to Spotify song lineups but for favorite snippets of writing—poems you want to revisit, bits of advice or wisdom you need to be regularly reminded of, stories you know will kickstart your creativity on days when you need inspiration, and so on. “It’s almost a pep talk in text form,” Chimero explains. “I visit it when I’m down, when I’m lazy, when I’m feeling the inertia take over . . .” Revisiting memorable texts is a way of ensuring they’ll be formative in our lives. It’s a practice that allows them to do their work of shaping our patterns of thought and action.

These are just some thoughts as this Angelus goes to press, probably because I’m coming to the end of yet another commonplace book and need to buy another. Also because summer is often a time when many of us find space to read that we might not otherwise have during the busier months of the year. This year, why not throw in a little fare besides a typical beach read? Practice “spiritual reading” by experimenting with a work by Frederica Mathewes-Green, Dallas Willard, or Benedicta Ward. Learn about “poustinia” from Catherine de Hueck Doherty; dive into Flannery O’Connor’s Complete Stories; or read the tales of our friend Sister Monica Clare. But whatever work you choose, keep a commonplace close at hand to jot down the ideas that strike you to revisit them later. It’s actually a way to pray because, to quote Ambrose of Milan, “We address [God] when we pray; we hear him when we read.”

Have a wonderful summer! — SW

PARISH PRAYERS

We pray for our sister parish, the Church of All Saints’, Margaret Street, London, and for the Church of South India in the Anglican cycle of prayer.

We pray for those who are preparing for ordination, especially Monica Clare, religious.

We pray for those who have asked us for our prayers, for Annabella, Blaise, Jon, Bob, Nathaniel, Riccardo, Heather, Elise, Jeff, Sara, Joe, Derick, Harley, John, Malany, Jim, Phil, Laura, Marley, Sue, Sumar, Christine, Emilie, Sharon, Monique, Cassius, Lisa, Sue, Ruth Ann, Rosemary, Holly, Becky, Bill, Grady, Chris, Violet, Pat, Allen, Nadia, Giovanna, Ronald, Jose, Ben, Russell, Robert, Sandy, Desarae, David, Tony, Jan, Carlos, Quincy, Leroy, Margaret, Bob, and Robert; James, Victoria, and Laura Katherine, religious; Lind, deacon; and John, James, Beth, Jay, and Stephen, priests.

We pray for the repose of the souls of those who have died, especially Jon and Mary, and for those whose year’s mind is on June 21: George Prentice (1907).

CALL TO PRAYER FROM THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN THE PHILIPPINES

Following a devastating earthquake in Mindanao, The Episcopal Church in the Philippines issued a call to prayer:

O God, our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of calamities: Have mercy upon all who at this time are visited with tragedy. Strengthen the efforts of all who are working to protect and help them; through him who healed and hallowed suffering, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Additional details about this tragedy can be found in The Living Church. Please keep all who are affected in your prayers.

WELCOME ALAN MONTGOMERY!

Saint Mary’s is proud to welcome Alan Montgomery onto the staff as Artist in Residence!

A native of Vacaville, California, Alan is the Project Director for Casavant Frères, a pipe organ builder based in Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, overseeing construction of new organs and renovation of historic instruments throughout the United States. Before starting at Casavant Frères, he served as the Associate Organist and Interim Director of Music at the Riverside Church, where he was responsible for the administration of one of the most extensive music programs in New York.

Alan is a graduate of the Juilliard School, where he earned a Master of Music degree while studying with Paul Jacobs. He also holds a Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree from the Royal College of Music in London, where he studied with David Graham and Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin. While in London, he served as Organ Scholar of Saint Mark’s, Hamilton Terrace and Farm Street Church.

As Artist in Residence, Alan will support Dr. Hurd in creating the musical tapestry for our parish’s rich Anglo-Catholic liturgical life, substituting or assisting at times, as well as playing recitals, concerts and special events. When you see him, welcome Alan to the Saint Mary’s family!

AROUND THE PARISH

Cookies are a Call to Community — During the summer months, we simplify Coffee Hour a bit to “Cookies and Lemonade,” though there will still be coffee too! We are looking for volunteers to help support this ministry. Please let Fr. Wood know if you would like to bring the cookies and lemonade for a summer Sunday and check out this Substack post he’s shared entitled “Cookies are a call to community.”

Rosary Guild — The Rosary Guild will meet on Sunday, June 28, after the 11:00 AM Mass. Stop by Coffee Hour for a bit and then join them in the Lady Chapel to pray the rosary. All are welcome.

Young Saint Marians Picnic — Pack your favorite picnic blanket and join us for an afternoon in the sun! The Young Saint Marians will be having a casual afternoon picnic on Sunday, June 28. We plan to meet in the Lady Chapel immediately following the Rosary Guild after the 11:00 AM Mass and walk down to Bryant Park together, weather permitting.  Don't forget to bring your bagged lunch! Feel free to email youngstmarians@gmail.com with any questions.

Neighbors in Need: What do we need? — We always need practical shoes in all adult sizes. We need jeans, especially in men’s sizes 32-36—but also women's sizes and pants other than jeans. And, as you may be thinking of a new winter coat, we would love to have your old coat! We accept all kinds of casual clothing: jackets, pants, tops and shoes, but we do not need professional clothing or children’s clothing. Thanks to many wonderful cash donations, we are able to purchase toiletries and underwear. Please speak to MaryJane Boland or Marie Rosseels for more information or send an email to neighbors@stmvnyc.org.

Fr. Matt on Vacation — Fr. Matt leaves for vacation this coming Tuesday and will be away from the parish for the next two Sundays. He returns to the office on Friday, July 10.

THE DIOCESE AND WIDER CHURCH

Juneteenth Meditation — Cathedral Dean Winnie Varghese, Canon Kelly Brown Douglas, and Canon Stephanie Spellers have offered a meditation on Juneteenth. You can read the full meditation here.

Faith does not permit us to be passive observers of history, remaining silent and on the sidelines while others proclaim and enact untruths in the name of God.

Indeed, faith compels us to participate in God’s liberating work in the world. Faith calls us to lead the struggle for freedom. Faith propels us to refuse to be divided against one another. 

Pride Evensongs around the Diocese — The Cathedral of Saint John the Divine will host a Pride Evensong service on Sunday, June 21, at 4:00 PM, featuring LGBTQIA+ composers and performance by the Cathedral Community Choir. The Church of Saint Luke in the Fields has been holding Pride Evensongs since the 1990s and theirs will also be on Sunday, June 21, at 4:00 PM. The Reverend Brenden F. Nee, Associate Rector at Saint Ann & the Holy Trinity, Brooklyn, will be the guest preacher at Saint Luke’s.

Cocktail gathering for Episcopal Charities’ feeding programs — In celebration of their work and partnerships with food access programs and local farmers, join Episcopal Charities for a cocktail gathering on Wednesday, June 24, 6:30 to 8:30 PM, at Inside Park at St. Bart’s (325 Park Avenue). Learn about Episcopal Charities’ feeding programs and partnerships with nearly 50 food access programs across the 10 counties. Tickets for this celebration are $125 each and can be purchased online via GiveSmart. For $250, you can purchase a ticket for yourself and sponsor a ticket for one of the program partners. If you can’t attend, you can also make a donation to Episcopal Charities and support their work.

ABOUT THE MUSIC ON THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

The Mass setting on Sunday is Missa Quinti Toni by Orlando di Lasso (1532–1594). Lassus, as he was also known, was one of the most prolific and admired European composers of his time. Born at Mons in the Franco-Flemish province of Hainaut, Lassus was well traveled particularly in northern Italy, but was centered in Munich much his adult life. His compositions include about sixty authenticated Mass settings, most of which are elaborate parody works based upon motets—often his own—as well as French chansons, and Italian madrigals from such composers as Gombert, Willaert, Resta, Arcadelt, Rore and Palestrina. Missa Quinti Toni is simply based upon a mode five melody.

The motet sung during the administration of Communion is Sicut cervus by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (c. 1525–1594). Palestrina is generally recognized as the composer whose work, more than that of any other single composer, defined the summit of Renaissance polyphony and established canons for evaluating appropriate church music that remain in place to our time. Palestrina’s Sicut cervus, sets the first verse of Psalm 42 (My soul is athirst for God) in four-voice polyphony. Of Palestrina’s more than three hundred motets, Sicut cervus is particularly beloved for its elegant simplicity, broad devotional appeal, and liturgical application of its psalm text, particularly as it relates to the sacrament of baptism.

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Saint Mary’s is a vibrant Anglo-Catholic witness in the heart of NYC. With our identity in Christ and a preference for the poor, we are an inclusive, diverse community called to love God and each other for the life of the world.

This edition of The Angelus was written and edited by Father Matt Jacobson, except as noted. Father Matt is also responsible for formatting it on the parish website and distributing it via mail and e-mail, with the assistance of parish volunteer, Clint Best. If you have an idea for an article that you would like to publish in an upcoming issue of The Angelus, Father Matt would be happy to discuss it with you.